GTS 161 - TUTORIAL 1 ASSIGNMENT – 2020

NON-TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

1. In this problem you will be drawing a number of diagrams that illustrate your understanding of
cell division. For all drawings assume this organism has 2n = 6, therefore 3 pairs of homologous
chromosomes, which have to meet the following criteria:
Chromosome 1 is large and metacentric, and carries gene A on the one arm and gene B on the
other arm.
Chromosome 2 is medium sized and telocentric, and carries the D locus.
Chromosome 3 is smaller and acrocentric, and carries gene G on the q-arm (long arm).
NB: In all drawings, show the alleles of the loci on EACH chromatid.

Mitosis:
a. Make a schematic representation of the chromosomes of a non-dividing somatic cell of this
organism (G0 of interphase). Assume the individual is heterozygous for genes A, D and G and
homozygous for gene B (genotype = Aa bb Dd Gg). Indicate all chromosomes clearly individually.
Use a solid line for a chromatid, and a dot for the centromere.
b. Draw this cell during mitotic metaphase, showing the arrangement of the chromosomes on the
equatorial plate. How many chromatids should there now be per chromosome? Why? Indicate
the alleles of the loci on each chromatid.
c. Draw this cell in mitotic anaphase.
d. How many chromosomes will be present in each daughter cell at telophase? How many alleles
of each locus will be present in each daughter cell?
Meiosis:
e. Draw two different cells during metaphase I of meiosis (do not consider cross-overs) that will
illustrate the process of independent assortment. How many chromatids should there be per
chromosome during metaphase I? Why?
f. Draw the two telophase I products that will arise from each of the two cells in (e).
g. What is the chromosome number in each telophase I cell? Why is it necessary for meiosis to
consist of two divisions?
h. Give the gametes that will be formed from each of the two cells in (e).

2. The following represents a cell in metaphase I, for an organism with 2n = 4 that is heterozygous
for the T, H and R loci. Dashed lines represent maternal chromosomes and solid lines paternal
chromosomes. In each bivalent a single cross-over has occurred as indicated.

t H r

T h R

a. Draw the two metaphase II cells. Indicate the nature of the chromatids (dashed for maternal /
solid for paternal), as well as the allele carried on each chromatid.
b. Draw the four gametes that will be produced after telophase II. How many chromosomes are
there in each gamete? How many chromatids does each chromosome have?

1
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS Pierce Chapter 2 p 43-46

17. Briefly explain why sister chromatids remain together in anaphase I but separate in anaphase II
of meiosis.
27. Construct a table similar to that in Figure 2.12 for the different stages of meiosis, giving the
number of chromosomes per cell and the number of DNA molecules per cell for a cell that begins
with four chromosomes (two homologous pairs) in G1. Include the following stages in your table:
G1, S, G2, prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I (after cytokinesis), prophase II,
metaphase II, anaphase II, and telophase II (after cytokinesis).
35. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has four pairs of chromosomes, whereas the house fly
Musca domestica has six pairs of chromosomes. All things being equal, in which species would
you expect to see more genetic variation among the progeny of a cross? Explain your answer.
37. A horse has 64 chromosomes and a donkey has 62 chromosomes. A cross between a female
horse and a male donkey produces a mule, which is usually sterile. How many chromosomes
does a mule have? Can you think of any reasons for the fact that most mules are sterile?
39. Indicate whether each of the following cells is haploid or diploid.
Cell Type Haploid or Diploid?
Primary spermatocyte ________________
First polar body ________________
Oogonium ________________
Spermatid ________________
Ovum ________________
Secondary oocyte ________________
Spermatogonium ________________
41. From 80% to 90% of the most common human chromosome abnormalities arise because the
chromosomes fail to divide properly in oogenesis. Can you think of a reason why failure of
chromosome division might be more common in female gametogenesis than in male
gametogenesis?

Think-Pair-Share Questions

2. Are homologous pairs of chromosomes present in mitosis? Explain your reasoning.

6. Describe how and where each of the following terms applies to mitosis, meiosis, or both: (1)
replication; (2) pairing; (3) separation.